Strathmore Writing® Paper

The Strathmore Paper Company has been in business since 1892 so they know a thing or two about making paper. Their line of Writing® paper products is aimed at those who want the best in a writing experience and they have done a creditable job of achieving that goal.

Writing® paper is available in pads, envelopes, flat and folded cards as well as hardbound and softcover journals. The soft white paper has a mildly textured, wove finish that slightly resisted a few inks, but is otherwise quite nice for fountain pens. The stationery is heavy at 24 lb (90 gsm) and comes with 50 blank or non-photo blue, dot-lined sheets to a pad.

The artist who created the calligraphy logo, Heather Victoria Held, is given credit on the cover which is a very nice touch.

A few days ago, I wrote a letter on the paper and decided it has more texture and absorbency than some of my nibs can handle well. Round nibs worked better than italics though a very light touch with a free-flowing ink somewhat improved the latter. Pale inks looked a bit dull on the soft white paper, but aqua and blue took the paper color in stride producing very legible and attractive writing.

The sturdy cardboard back would make the Writing® pad a good traveling companion. For a simple pad, it is well-constructed and should tolerate a modest amount of abuse.

The lines are on only one side of the paper so presumably Strathmore does not expect double-sided use. Even so, there was absolutely no bleed-through and only the faintest hint of ghosting. In that regard, it is an admirable product.

The only version tested was the 6″ x 8″ pad, but the website indicates the same paper is used for the whole line except the cards that are 110# (297 gsm). That rivals watercolor paper which could make them useful for one-of-a-kind, original greeting cards. Strathmore lists the Writing® line under its 500 series paper which is their premium line for artists.

Currently, Amazon offers the pads and journals. Walmart and a few other retailers carry some items from the line, so that is another option.

Admittedly, I am partial to soft white paper and 8 mm line spacing for my widest nibs. Now to find the perfect pen and ink for the Strathmore Writing® pad. Isn’t that half the fun?